Craig briefs: US Sen. Bennet to hold town hall in Steamboat

Northwest Colorado residents will have the ear of U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet on Friday when he hosts a town hall in Steamboat Springs.

The Democratic senator from Colorado is expected to talk with residents about a wide range of issues, including the Farm Bill, forest health and the upcoming wildfire season. The forum starts at 12:30 p.m. in the Colorado Mountain College auditorium.

Bennet was last in Routt County in September 2011 to talk with Hayden residents about the Farm Bill.

Big Blue Football Camp is Tuesday, Thursday

The ninth annual Big Blue Football Camp for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade is from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday at Moffat County High School. Registration is from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at the high school football field. The cost is $20. For more information, call 970-824-9586.

Republicans’ Lincoln Day Dinner is May 18

Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler will be the keynote speaker at the Moffat County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. May 18 at the Holiday Inn of Craig. The event kicks off with a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at approximately 6:30 p.m. The cost is $50 per person. Tickets are available at T&H Auto Parts, Pam Designs and by calling Moffat County Republican Party Chairwoman Brandi Meek at 970-629-9762.

Know guidelines for ag and debris burning

The Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit and the Moffat County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents about guidelines for agriculture and debris burning.

Grasses are green, but brush and timber are not, and the dead vegetation in grass and brush will carry fire through green plants and can pose fire control issues, according to a news release.

Follow these recommendations for safer burning:

■ Contact the Sheriff’s Office in advance at 970-824-4495 or 970-824-6501.

■ Don’t burn on windy days, and know the forecast weather conditions for your burn day (available at www.crh.noaa.gov/gjt).

■ Notify your neighbors so they don’t call in a fire report.

■ Have a shovel and water nearby to extinguish the fire.

■ Dig a fire line where you want the fire to stop.

■ Never leave a fire unattended.

If an agricultural or debris fire damages private, state or federally managed lands, you could receive a fine or be held responsible for the costs.

Reconstruction project on Colorado Highway 13

A reconstruction project on Colorado Highway 13 south of Meeker and north of Rifle will take place from mile marker 25 south to mile marker 22. The project will widen the road’s shoulders to 8 feet, add guardrails and new drainage pipes and increase sight distance for motorists, according to a news release from the Colorado Department of Transportation.

The work will take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays through the end of October. No detours are planned, and motorists can expect to encounter alternating lanes of traffic and delays of as long as 15 minutes. The speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph in the work zone, and loads of more than 14 feet won’t be allowed.

The $6.7 million project is funded by the state’s FASTER legislation. The contractor on the project is Old Castle United Companies. For more information, call the project hotline at 970-878-7107 or email SH13meeker@publicinfoteam.com.